Desorption of hydrocarbons for recovery from water bearing coal using electromagnetic energy

ABSTRACT

A method is described herein using electromagnetic energy to desorb hydrocarbons which are adsorbed to water bearing coal deposited below the ground surface. The electromagnetic energy is produced at either the surface and directed toward the coal, or it is produced directly in or near the coal and directed toward the coal. Because of the exposure to electromagnetic energy, adsorbed hydrocarbons are energized sufficiently to desorb from the coal and are available for recovery through other conventional methods.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

[0003] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The embodiment of the principles related to the present inventionrelates to the recovery of hydrocarbons adsorbed to water bearing coalwhich is deposited below ground surface. Water pressure in the coaltraps the hydrocarbons onto the coal surface. The method relates to thedesorption of the hydrocarbons by energizing them and overcoming thewater pressure holding them to the surface, thus eliminating or reducingthe amount of water needed to be removed to facilitate desorption. Indescribing the invention, a well is placed into the subsurface directlyinto the coal deposit. Electromagnetic energy is directed toward thecoal either by producing the electromagnetic energy at the surface andconveying it thru the well to the subsurface, or by producing it with anemitter directly in the subsurface with power to the emitter directed bya power line running through the well. Hydrocarbons are energized to asufficient level to desorb from the coal into solution within the waterwhere the hydrocarbons are available for recovery through conventionalmethods.

[0005] Desorbing hydrocarbons from water bearing coal deposited belowground surface is typically accomplished by one of two methods: 1) Thewater overlying and in the coal is removed to reduce the pressure in thecoal deposit to release the adsorbed hydrocarbon from the coal. 2)Sequestering agents such as carbon dioxide are used to preferentiallyadsorb to the coal in lieu of the hydrocarbons. The first method suffersfrom three drawbacks: a) removal of large quantities of water from andoverlying of the coal can be costly; b) Disposal of the water removedmay require environmental and/or other permits and treatment prior todischarge and disposal; c) the water resource is removed from the groundand may not recover sufficiently in the near future as a usablegroundwater resource. The second method is costly due to the cost of thesequestering agents and still may require the removal of water overlyingand from the coal.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] The embodiment of the principles related to the present inventioncomprises the use of electromagnetic energy in water bearing coal forthe desorption of adsorbed hydrocarbons for recovery from coal.

[0007] Electromagnetic energy is generated either at the surface and/orsubsurface and directed into the water bearing coal. Exposure ofmolecules to electromagnetic energy increases the energy in molecules.

[0008] Hydrocarbons are desorbed from the coal by either adsorbingelectromagnetic energy directly or the transfer of energy from othermolecules which are energized by electromagnetic energy. Due to asufficient increase in energy, these hydrocarbons are no longer bound byadsorption to the coal and are available for recovery.

[0009] Water permeates coal beds, and its pressure traps hydrocarbons inthe coal. Typically to produce hydrocarbons from coal, water must bedrawn off first, lowering the pressure so hydrocarbons can flow out ofthe coal and to the well bore. By exposure of a water bearing coaldeposit to electromagnetic energy, the efficiency of hydrocarbondesorption and recovery from coal is increased by the reduction orelimination of the amount of overlying groundwater that requirespumping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0010] Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will beapparent from the study of the written description and the drawing inwhich:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a front elevational view taken from the side ofrepresenting a preferred embodiment of the current inventionillustrating a configuration where the electromagnetic energy isproduced at the subsurface.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view taken from the side ofrepresenting a preferred embodiment of the current inventionillustrating a configuration where the electromagnetic energy isproduced at the surface and conveyed to the subsurface via a coaxialcable and/or wave guide to an antenna.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0013] The principles relating to the present invention may be readilycomprehended through consideration of the elements necessary to achievethe object of the same as represented in the preferred embodiment ofthese principles depicted in the drawings attached hereto. The inventionis comprised of a power source and an electromagnetic device/emitter togenerate electromagnetic energy. The electromagnetic energydevice/emitter is either placed in or near the water bearing coaldeposit and the electromagnetic energy is directed toward the waterbearing coal deposit, or the electromagnetic energy is transmitted via acoaxial cable and/or a waveguide placed in a well and/or conduit to anantenna placed in or near the water bearing subsurface coal deposit anddirected to the water bearing coal deposit.

[0014] Referring now specifically to FIG. 1, the power source 1 locatedat the ground surface 6 is connected directly via a power line 2 whichruns through a well and/or conduit 4 to the electromagneticdevice/emitter located in the subsurface 3 near or in a water bearingcoal deposit 5.

[0015] Referring now specifically to FIG. 2, the power source and theelectromagnetic device/emitter 1 located at the ground surface 6, andthe energy is transmitted to the subsurface via a coaxial cable and/or awaveguide 2 to an antenna located in the subsurface 3 near or in a waterbearing coal deposit 5.

[0016] Obviously, numerous variations and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore,it should be clearly understood that the form of the present inventiondescribed above and shown in the figures of the accompanying drawing isillustrative only and is not intended to limit the scope of the presentinvention.

With the understanding that the foregoing description is exemplary ofthe preferred embodiment of the principles relating to the presentinvention, I hereby claim to secure by Utility Application for Patentthe following claims:
 1. The method comprising the desorption ofhydrocarbons for recovery from water bearing coal deposited below theground surface by exposure to electromagnetic energy generated directlyin the subsurface and directed into the water bearing coal.
 2. Themethod comprising the desorption of hydrocarbons for recovery from waterbearing coal deposited below the ground surface by exposure toelectromagnetic energy generated at the surface and transmitted to anantenna in the subsurface and directed into the water bearing coal.